2018 NEWSLETTER. Auburn Presbyterian Church 111 West 12 th St. Auburn, IN FROM THE PASTOR:

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1 Auburn Presbyterian Church 111 West 12 th St. Auburn, IN NEWSLETTER FROM THE PASTOR: Brothers and Sisters, I am so excited to get to know you better and begin doing ministry with you in Auburn. The promise and potential there is incredible, and I m ready to get started. I hope you share these feelings as we prepare to take the next step in our journey together. As much as I long to be with you today, I have tasks to complete here before arriving. I am winding up ministry work, visiting with people, and packing so that I can devote myself to God s call to Auburn. I was charged to care for these people for a time and it is a bittersweet joy to prepare them for the next chapter in their story. In the next week I will complete the transition away from this place and arrive in Auburn the 2nd. I have a place to stay (many thanks to everyone who was a part of this) and look forward to my first day in the office, February 5. I cannot begin to imagine the wonderful things God has in store for our ministry together. May God bless your intentions to live for Christ, Pastor David SESSION NEWS: At the Regular meeting of Session on December 17, 2017 the session voted to elect Kay Finchum as Clerk of Session for 2018; Barbara Bushnell as Church Treasurer; and Stan Lowe as Assistant Treasurer for 2018.

2 The Annual Congregational and Corporation Meeting of the Auburn Presbyterian Church was held in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, January 28 following a catered lunch. It was voted to accept the reports included in the printed annual report for the year Also, noting a vacancy on the APC Foundation Board representing the congregation, Elder Jackson, representing the Leadership Development Committee, nominated Richard Reichard to fill this one-year term and it was voted to elect him. The Annual Corporation Meeting was called to order by the Moderator Rev. Stanley Kessler following the Annual Congregational Meeting. The budget for 2018, previously approved by Session was presented. The budget showed Total Income of $128, and Total Expenses of $239, In view of this budget, the Moderator stressed the importance of stewardship. There are still annual reports available in the church office if you did not receive one. SCOUT SUNDAY - February 18 The Session voted to hold Scout Sunday on February 18, On that Sunday we hope to have representatives present from all of our scouting programs for the worship service. We will have a minute for mission during worship explaining the importance of the Scouting Programs and we also hope to have some of the scouts participate by ushering and acolyting for the worship service. Mark your calendars! COMMUNION DATES APPROVED BY SESSION During the Session meeting on January 21, communion dates were approved as follows: February 11, February 14 (Ash Wednesday), March 4, March 29 (Maundy Thursday), April 1, May 6, June 3, July 1, August 5, September 9, October 7, November 4, December 2, and December 24 (Christmas Eve). COMPLETE LIST OF AUBURN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 2018 OFFICERS ELDERS: Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Class of 2020 John Jackson Susan Buttermore Joe Dick Peggy Jones Jerri Imus Barbara Morrow Stan Lowe Marjorie Reinsch Julie Nixon DEACONS: Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Class of 2020 Nancy Clark Cheryl John Katherine Bassett Ray Smith Lisa Magsamen Christine Cross Kathie Wentworth Sue Peterson Carl Smith Jeff Zielke Linda Pulver-Jackson Leah Watson 2018 JR DEACON: Isabella Gettys CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL Please join us in the lounge after worship each week for fellowship and stimulating discussion. Here s the February lineup:

3 Feb. 4 Feb. 11 Feb. 18 Feb. 25 Welcoming Our New Pastor. In the Bible, both the Israelites and early Christians were urged to practice hospitality, the virtue of showing kindness and love to others. As Pastor David Lawrence begins his ministry here, how can we show him hospitality? Please join us in class as we brainstorm and discuss concrete ways to welcome Pastor David and to help him succeed in his ministry among us. No class. A Mardi Gras luncheon will take place in Fellowship Hall, with a chance to welcome and visit with Pastor David. Atonement: What Is It? The Rev. Stan Wilson will guide us through the doctrine of atonement and its more than one way of understanding how we can be at-one with God. In other words, we will look at ways in which the life, death and resurrection of The Christ brings us close to God. The Farm Project. The Rev. Kenneth Weaver, pastor of LaGrange Presbyterian Church, will discuss a project his church helped launch to aid children removed from their homes due to their parents use of meth and other drugs. The project serves children in four northeast Indiana counties, including DeKalb. CHECK OUT THIS NEW BOOK IN OUR CHURCH LIBRARY Since the early 1970s, the Auburn Kiwanis Club has baked pumpkin bread in our church kitchen and then donated proceeds from the sold loaves to the Children First Center (formerly Preschool for the Handicapped). The idea for selling pumpkin bread and the recipe itself came from local baker Erton Manon, who along with his wife Evelyn was a member of our church. The Manon s daughter, Retha Butler, and granddaughter, Lisa Conrad, recently published a book detailing the Kiwanis Holiday Loaf Cake story the story of how one man s idea blossomed into a project that continues to benefit families in our community. Pumpkin loaf sales have generated nearly a half million dollars since In appreciation of our church s support for the pumpkin project (by permitting the Kiwanis to use our kitchen), Retha Butler has donated a copy of the illustrated book to our church library. You can find the book in the downstairs lounge on the left side of the bookcase, closest to the double doors. If you have questions, please contact Barb Morrow, We are indebted to Retha and Lisa for sharing a story that shines a spotlight on community good good for which our church can claim some credit. Let s Help Isabella! High school freshman Isabella Gettys has been nominated by her Honors Biology teacher to attend an Ambassador Leadership Summit this summer for promising young people. Interested in a career in medicine, Isabella has an opportunity to attend a nine-day Summit session at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. On various Sundays over the course of this winter and spring, Isabella will provide baked goods during fellowship time after worship. Our Session has approved allowing Isabella to receive a good-will offering for the treats she serves to help defray the $3,500 cost of her summer schooling. The Christian Education Committee encourages you to be generous when making donations on Isabella Treat days. Let s help her make her way to Johns Hopkins! SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION AVAILABLE: The Christian Education Committee is pleased to again offer the Mary Evelyn Moore Scholarship to a graduating high school senior who plans to continue his/her education. The Moore family established the scholarship in memory of Mary Evelyn, an educator and long-time church member. Applications are available in the church office. The submission deadline is Sunday, March 25.

4 The Roger Grogg Scholarship, established by Ginger Post in memory of her father, is now administered through the Community Foundation DeKalb County. Please contact the foundation s website ( for more information about this scholarship. STEWARDSHIP AND BUDGET PER CAPITA: If you haven't had the opportunity to pay your per capita for the year it's not too late. Our church Per Capita Apportionment is $39.99 per member. You may make your checks out to the Auburn Presbyterian Church and either mail to the church office or drop in the offering plate. Be sure to mark at the bottom of your check per capita so the treasurer will apply the funds appropriately Thank you so much for the generous Christmas bonus I recently received from the congregation. It means a great deal to me. I look forward to serving in this new year together. All grace and peace in believing! - Judy Rhoades As many of you know for the past 6 months I have been dealing with my parents' declining health issues. It has taken a lot of time and patients dealing with all of this and I am so thankful that I have the understanding of the church while I continue to struggle with this situation. I continue to ask for prayers as I am faced with daily challenges in providing care for them. I would also like to take the time to say "Thank You" not only for your prayers and support but for your generous Christmas bonus I received in January. It was so up-lifting for my spirit to feel the love and appreciation from you; and not to mention how much it came in handy after the holidays! I love being your church secretary and look forward to this new year as we welcome a new pastor to this church family. Thank you again and God Bless ~ Tracy Warner WORSHIP & MUSIC COMMITTEE NEWS: Pastor Lawrence's first Sunday with us will be Sunday, February 11. Please show your support and join us for worship at 10 a.m. A potluck celebration/meal following worship on that day is being organized by the Fellowship Committee.

5 COMMUNION HAS BEEN CHANGED TO THE SECOND SUNDAY IN FEBRUARY Please mark your calendars... Communion in February has been changed from the 4th to the 11th. (the second Sunday instead of the first Sunday). This change has been made so that Pastor David Lawrence will be able to celebrate communion on his first Sunday with us. Ash Wednesday Service February 14 at 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 14, will begin the Lenten Season with the celebration of Ash Wednesday. The service, which will take place in our chapel beginning at 7 p.m., will be a time of prayer, meditation, and the disposition of ashes. Pastor David hopes you will be able to join us as we together begin our Lenten journey and travel toward the cross and eventually Easter Sunday. USHERS: 4: Myron & Kathie Wentworth 11: Stan Lowe, Tom Reinsch 18: Carl & Melinda Smith 25: Bill & Kathryn Bassett ACOLYTES: 4: Gabe Ackerman 11: Travis Conley 18: Marcus & Aidan Smith 25: Evan Zielke LITURGIST: John Jackson COMMUNION SERVERS: Joe Dick Vinnie Pietracatella Julia Nixon Ray smith Kathy Wentworth FLOWERS: 4: Barbara Bushnell 11: Ed Benbow 18: Norm & Peg Yoder 25: John & Linda Jackson HELPING WITH OUR WORSHIP: FEBRUARY 2018

6 ALTAR FLOWERS FOR MORNING WORSHIP SERVICES... A tribute of fresh flowers for special people as memorials or celebration is a continuing tradition, and further acknowledges the glory of God in our worship experience at the Auburn Presbyterian Church. Flowers are delivered each week from the Sprinkling Can Florists, and you will be billed directly by the church. The total cost is $30.00 for two vases of flowers. You can participate by choosing any of the following Sunday morning dates by calling the church office at AVAILABLE DATES FOR 2018: March 4, April 29, May 6, August 19, September 2, September 30, October 28 and December 30. The Season of The Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 14. As we celebrate this journey the following events will be taking place during the month of February. Please mark these dates on your calendar. Ash Wednesday Service, February 14: February 21 & 28 6:30 p.m. - Soup served in Fellowship Hall 7:00 p.m. - Ash Wednesday Service in the Chapel. Dispensing of ashes will take place. 6:00 p.m. - Soup served in Fellowship Hall 6:30 p.m. - Bible Study provided by Pastor David Imagine the joy when your gift changes someone s life both the joy they will feel in being changed and the joy you will feel in knowing that your gift is changing lives. As Christians, we talk about God providing us with blessings of all kinds in abundance, but there are many in the world who live with less than what they need. Surely our God calls us to be sharers of abundance. You can be a channel through whom God satisfies the hungry, comforts the distressed, and brings hope to the poor and oppressed. Create more joy in the world with your generous gift to One Great Hour of Sharing. Offering Envelopes will be included in your bulletin each Sunday beginning February 18 and will continue through the Lenten Season. MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION - SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2018 In preparation for the upcoming Lent season we encourage everyone to wear your most vibrant colors to worship on Sunday, February 11; and then plan on staying after worship and continuing the celebration in Fellowship Hall as we welcome our new pastor, Rev. David Lawrence. Please bring a dish to pass. The fellowship committee will furnish traditional New Orleans jambalaya and Kings Cake for dessert.

7 Looking ahead to Easter morning... This year on Easter morning a breakfast will be served before the worship service. Please mark your calendars and watch for more information to come in the newsletter and bulletin announcements.